Press conference with Minister Dobrindt on the Forum for the Future of Digital Planning and Building

Source: BMVI

Federal Minister Alexander Dobrindt presented his plans to introduce Building Information Modelling (BIM) for the planning and realization of large-scale transport projects at the Forum for the Future of Planning and Building in Berlin today.

Dobrindt:

Today, we are launching an initiative for the digitalization of the construction industry. By applying the most sophisticated digital methods, construction projects are to be realized more efficiently and slippages in terms of timeframe and budget are to be prevented. We will make planning and building with BIM mandatory for our infrastructure projects from 2020 onwards. The use of these planning methods will be optimized by means of pilot projects. This is an initiative to modernize the globally operating German construction industry.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) allows for a digital planning process during which a synchronized data basis is created that connects every process and partial aspect of a project and is accessible to all parties involved. As a result, all information is interlinked in a transparent manner and all impacts of a change on any other sub-area is visualized in real time. Schedules, costs and risks can thus be identified and optimized earlier and more precisely.

Mr Dobrindt's phased plan provides for the introduction of BIM in three steps: Following a preparatory phase until 2017 and a pilot phase until 2020, BIM is to be applied to all new projects of the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure from 2020 onwards. Prior to this, the required legal and technical framework conditions and standards will be established.

Dobrindt:

We want to make digital planning and building a nationwide standard. As a major client, the public sector must take a lead here and promote a cultural shift. Therefore, we have established the Construction of Large-Scale Projects reform commission and formulated the clear principle: “Build digital before building in reality.” We have launched four pilot projects to test BIM, and my Ministry has developed a phased plan for the planning and building of the future that will make BIM the new standard for transport infrastructure projects by 2020.

With this phased plan, a part of the action plan for major projects adopted by the Federal Cabinet on 9 December is implemented.